Kathmandu: Home team Kirtipur and Hounds Academy made winning starts in the Himalayan Java Basketball League (HJBL) that kicked off on Saturday at Kirtipur covered hall in Kathmandu.

Kirtipur saw off Samakhushi Youth Club 84-59 and Hounds pulled off a hard-fought 87-78 win over Royals in the event organised by Nepal Basketball Association.

In the curtain raiser, Kirtipur trailed in the first quarter, Samakhushi took an early 12-10 lead before Kirtipur bounced back in the second quarter scoring 24-12. Samakhushi claimed the third quarter 29-25 but Kirtipur dominated the fourth quarter 25-6 ensuring an easy win.Suyun Rai of Kirtipur was declared the most-valuable-player. 

In the late fixture, Hounds made a strong start taking a 21-14 lead in the first quarter. Royals fought back  in the second quarter scoring 26-22. But Hounds made sure that they win the match in the third and fourth quarters with scores of 24-19 and 20-19 respectively. 

On Sunday, Times International College and Golden Gate International College will vie in the only match of the day.

The league sponsored by Himalayan Java features six teams. The event is conducted in a double round-robin format and will be played on weekends and midweeks. 

The opening ceremony was attended by Kirtipur Municipality mayor Krishnaman Dangol, and the managing director of Li-Ning Nepal Rajin Maharjan.